Our Story

Before the craft beer craze, there was Rohrbachs.

Rochester’s First Craft Brewery

Founded in 1991 by John and Patty Urlaub, Rohrbach Brewing Co. is the first craft brewery in Rochester, NY. The brewing company takes its name from Rohrbach, Germany, a small town that inspired its founder to bring craft beer to Rochester. The company first originated in the German House on Gregory Street, then grew into the two restaurant locations existing today–the brewery and beer hall in downtown Rochester on Railroad St. and the Buffalo Road Brewpub Restaurant in Gates.

Though the company has grown over the past 25 years, Rohrbachs has stayed true to its roots. From our old days of growler fills to today’s consistent can releases, it’s been a wild ride from the beginning to the recent craft beer boom. You can find Rohrbach beer in stores, restaurants, bars and sports arenas all over Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and their surrounding Upstate NY areas.

The original Rohrbach location on Gregory Street in the South Wedge neighborhood.

More than Rochester's oldest brewery. We are a family-owned small business dedicated to brewing timeless craft beers & improving the community we live in.

As the first craft brewery in Rochester, NY, Rohrbach Brewing Company was originally located in Rochester’s Historic German House shown here alongside some of the few photos from back in the day. Today, in addition to in stores and bars, you can enjoy craft beers and wood-fired pizza at our Rochester brewery on Railroad St. in the Public Market, or enjoy brews and comfort food at our Buffalo Road Brewpub in Gates.